WILMINGTON, N.C. – Oklahoma City University’s Chris Spendlove has signed on to play professional soccer with the United Soccer League’s Wilmington (N.C.) Hammerheads pending USL and USSF approval. Spendlove is part of the Hammerheads’ first announced signings for the 2011 season.
Spendlove earned honors as a two-time NAIA all-American, two-time Sooner Athletic Conference defensive player of the year and three-time all-SAC selection. He was a tremendous leader and stout defender for the Stars in his four years at OCU. Spendlove scored 26 goals and nine assists in his four-year career at OCU, and started in every game in which he donned a Stars uniform.
“Chris is very deserving of this opportunity,” OCU assistant coach Billy Martin said. “He’s grown a lot as a player in his time at OCU and has worked very hard to make this happen. His off-the-field workouts show that he can be a good pro, and I think playing with Wilmington is a good choice for him.”
Spendlove’s diversity in the backfield was an asset to the Stars and he is expecting to transition back to his post as left fullback as a professional.
“This past season I have filled in a lot at center back, but I think my transition to the professional league will see me at my more natural and preferred position at left back,” Spendlove said. “I will be able to link up with the attack more.”
“Chris was asked to play out of position this season from his usual left fullback spot where he usually gets more assists and more goals,” OCU head coach Brian Harvey said. “He was asked to play as a central defender and he did a team job.”
Along with earning individual national and conference accolades for his stellar play on the pitch, Spendlove was an integral member of the 2008 Stars squad that made it to the semifinals of 2008 NAIA National Championships. Spendlove, a native of Liverpool, England, entertained thoughts of returning to Europe to kick off his professional career, but decided Wilmington and the USL PRO league is the best fit for his game.
“I felt after some serious thought and speaking to several people that I wanted to continue my career here in the USA,” Spendlove said. “Further down the line I may go and try my luck in Europe, but right now I felt that this offer was in my best interest.”
The Hammerheads have enjoyed a great deal of on-field success in their 14 seasons, reaching the playoffs 10 times and capturing the 2003 USL Second Division title. Wilmington has also pulled off some memorable upsets in the U.S. Open Cup, knocking off the Dallas Burn in 2003 and the Chicago Fire in 2009, both MLS teams.
Spendlove has been preparing for this professional opportunity each summer by playing in the USL’s Premier Development League against some of the top college competition in the nation. He spent one summer with the Portland (Maine) Phoenix and two seasons with the Austin (Texas) Aztex honing his soccer skills in between his collegiate seasons at OCU.
“I would like to thank Brian Harvey and Billy Martin for giving me the opportunity to come and study here three and a half years ago,” Spendlove said. “It has been an amazing experience, and not only have I grown as a player but as a person. I will always be grateful for them for helping me earn not only a bachelors degree but also a masters. OCU has given me some of the most wonderful memories and I have met some friends here who will be friends for life no matter where our futures lie.”
The strongest professional soccer league in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean outside of Major League Soccer, USL PRO is a national league featuring a regional competition model to build natural rivalries. The U.S. Soccer Federation-affiliated league will help to ensure the long-term stability of professional soccer in North America while featuring future stars and elite players from throughout the world. In addition to league play, USL PRO teams will compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various domestic and international exhibitions.
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